16 July 2013 Oslo

Tuesday morning and we sail up Oslofjord which takes about 3 and half hours, very lovely scenery indeed.  Oslo is about 60 miles from the open sea. For each of our ports we receive a Port Guide prepared by the Port Lecturer Hutch, he gives us fascinating information, we are indeed privileged to receive the info he gives us.  I have not used his info before this, but today I am going to give you his info on Oslo. 

“It is no accident that Oslo actually wraps itself around part of a beautiful fjord  -  it’s as though the sea has been invited in for a visit!  Seafarers have lived in Oslo Fjord since the 8^th century, taking advantage of the beautiful harbour 60 miles from the sea. 

The founder of Oslo was the half-brother of St. Olav, Harald Hardrade (whose nickname means ‘uncompromising commander’).  The city probably dates from 1048, when Harald build a fort and a settlement on the left bank of the Aker River.

From the time of its founding, Scandinavia’s oldest capital enjoyed steady growth and affluence.  Even while Trondheim and Bergen were larger, Oslo grew fat by supplying provisions to ships and trading in timber.  Shortly before 1300, King Hakon V selected Oslo as his principal residence, and the trappings of a capital city followed.  The powerful Akershus Castle was built to provide additional protection for the thriving town. 

Norway’s union with Denmark pushed Oslo back to the status of a provincial capital.  The German merchants of the Hanseatic League had steadily lost their economic grip, and their cultural leadership was no longer present.

Most of the old city was destroyed by a disastrous fire in 1624, reportedly set by three witches.  King Christian IV of Denmark (I told you about him yesterday) spared no expense to rebuild Oslo on the right bank of the river.  He strengthened Akershus  Fortress to guard against the Swedes, the first of many military improvements.  The king loved his beautiful renaissance town, and renamed it Christiania after himself.  Exactly 300 years later, in 1925, the name was changed back to Oslo.”

Hutch then goes on to tell us about World War II years etc and its effect, I will add this in later when I return home. 

 The architecture is quite beautiful.  Sam and I agree that Oslo is the favourite city on our trip so far.  There is a great deal of construction activity going on in all parts of the.  In about 1974 an oil drilling company asked for permission to drill off the coast, it took 8 years to find the oil they were looking for, the government decided that with the proceeds of this find they would make the city a beautiful place, improve the social structure etc.  Their medical treatment is free, but they do pay 70% tax, their  home loan interest is quite small and 28% of their home loan repayments are tax deductible.  Everything is quite expensive, but a very prosperous looking city. 

Sam and I did not have a tour booked for today but caught the Hop On Hop Off bus when we left the ship, we did the entire journey and came back to the ship to get changed as it was so cold and then we walked the city and very beautiful it is too.  I am sure everyone is very excited today no info on Cathedrals.  We had a sleep on our return and then a quick dinner and then to see the show a young man by the name of Craig Richard, plays the sax, the piano and sings as well, a very talented young man, he is with us to New York where he lives, he is on again tomorrow eve so I think I will go and see him again.  We have a sea day tomorrow, and we are indeed delighted, then on to Torshavn in the Faeroe Islands on Thurs.  Talk soon.  Love Sabine and Sam  XXX